Test your basic knowledge |

Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






2. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






3. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






4. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






5. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






6. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






7. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






8. To shift to another key.






9. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






10. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






11. A short light musical drama.






12. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






13. Group of singers in a chorus.






14. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






15. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






16. Group of singers in a chorus.






17. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






18. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






19. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






20. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






21. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






22. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






23. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






24. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






25. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






26. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






27. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






28. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






29. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






30. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






31. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






32. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






33. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






34. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






35. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






36. A direction to play expressively.






37. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






38. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






39. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






40. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






41. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






42. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






43. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






44. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






45. A direction to play lively and fast.






46. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






47. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






48. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






49. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






50. A repeated phrase.